Safety bathing fixture



1939- R. H. ZINKIL 2,168,079

SAFETY BATHING FIXTURE Filed Ma 20, 1937 Patented Aug. 1, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY BATHING FIXTURE Application May 20, 1937, Serial N0. 143,656

2 Claims.

Heretofore, one of the principal objections to the several attempts made in the past to provide bathing fixtures with convenient means for getting into and out of a fixture has been the relatively large amount of floor space occupied by the fixture especially when considered in view of the usual restricted quarters of a bathroom. Also, the odd or unusual shape of the fixture adopted has necessitated special space requirements which are not ordinarily available within the average home or apartment.

A further important object is to provide a device of the general character described which is capable of being installed within the usual space occupied by a conventional fixture in which a pair of seats is provided, one of which is used for the purpose of safely and conveniently getting into and out of the fixture, while the other seat is preferably, although not necessarily, of a recessed arrangement so that increased convenience and comfort is thereby obtained in taking a shower bath or the like or else, for example, in the taking of a foot bath.

In connection with providing adequate and safe bathing facilities for aged or crippled persons, it has been realized that the problem is a serious one in which there is danger to life or limb involved while getting into and out of a conventional bathing fixture, and while I am aware that handles in connection with bathtubs have been designed and used in the past, these provisions, to my knowledge, have not been satisfactory because they have not been adequately supplemented by safety features which will be hereinafter disclosed.

'It is therefore an important object of my in- 'vention to provide a bathing fixture with handles or grab bars positioned so as to possess a relatively novel type of construction and mounted with relation to the rim of the fixture in a relatively semi-concealed or unobtrusive manner so that While being effective to serve as handles, the method of attachment is preferred to keep the top of the grab bar or handle fiush with the top of the front rim of the tub or slightly below it. Obviously, the advantage thus lies in the fact that it is not necessary to lift the feet or the body of the bather over the otherwise projecting handles usually provided. I am aware also that slotted grips within the rim have been available, but these provisions have had the objection that water or dirt easily entered thereinto and thus created an unsanitary condition. Further, such slotting of the rim objectionably affected thorough enameling and required special coring during the course of manufacture. Also, such handles previously used have had the objection in that theirshape and arrangement of positioning prompted their use by plumbers and others for the purpose of liftingand transporting the fixture to the extent that damage occurred due to overstepping the capacity of such prior handles.

Therefore, another object of my invention lies in providing for handles or grips, either attached 10 or integral with the fixture, which not only lend themselves readily to the use of the bather for quick and convenient gripping in getting into and out of the fixture but, at the same time, are preferably so designed whereby the artisan or plumber will not be disposed to use such handles of the fixture for the purpose of carrying and transporting the tub during its course of installation. This result has been obtained, as hereinafter disclosed in greater detail, by providing the handles of my invention so as to be capable of being gripped firmly and securely, but yet prevent gripping to such extent that the fixture could be lifted or carried thereby. In addition, their construction and installation ar- 25 rangement contribute to easy cleansibility, thus avoiding an unsanitary condition.

Another advantage of my invention lies in providing in an oblong rectangular fixture a seating arrangement within the fixture proper so that the supply and waste controls, which are usually positioned in proximity to the drain of the fixture, may beeasily accessible for manipulation by the bather and also positioned with respect to the basin or rim of the fixture so that little, if any, 35 interference therewith will be encountered, either while actually getting into or out of the fixture or while within the basin or receptor of the fixture.

Further, I provide a novel type and arrangement of handles within the fixture so that all portions of the latter are easily accessible for cleaning without undue risk of injury being incurred.

Another important object lies in providing a form of basin for the fixture whereby the foot end thereof may be relatively narrow and thereby minimize the amount of water necessary for bathing, while at the body or head end thereof provision is made for suitable width so as to provide not only a generous distribution of water but also to provide adequate space for the body of the bather. Thus liberal bathing space is obtained together with two seats as above referred to, and the entire fixture contained within a minimum floor space or area.

Another object lies in providing all of the foregoing advantages in connection with what is popularly termed an apron type of fixture and also in providing a relatively fiat surface for the bottom portion of the basin thereof, thus promoting greater safety and also omitting the usual sweeping and unsafe fillets at the lower portion which connect the bottom with the side and end walls.

In addition to the previously referred to seating arrangement within the fixture suitable for a restful shower bath or in taking a foot bath, it is another object of my invention to provide a widened portion positioned along the outer border of the fixture which is preferably flush with the upper portion of the rim, whereby the prospective user of the fixture in entering the basin of the fixture first is seated and safely supported upon such widened portion and thus is enabled to lift his feet and pivot over the rim of the fixture while getting into and out of the fixture. Obviously, such an arrangement is a substantial help to. crippled and aged persons. Then upon having the feet within the basin, the handles of the fixture, as hereinafter described, may be easily reached and gripped while the user lowers himself to a seated or reclining position within the fixture, and the same procedure may be followed in leaving the fixture after the bath.

Other objects and advantages will readily become apparant upon proceeding with the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a plan view of the bathing fixture embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. r

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1..

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1. I

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views.

Referring to the drawing in detail, my improved bathing fixture is generally designated by the numeral l and is preferably provided witha conventional apron 2 which extends to and rests upon the floor level, as shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and l. While Fig. 1 indicates a type of fixture capable of being installed within therecess or alcove of a room so that three sides thereof are enclosed by-the walls of the room forming such recess, it is of course apparent that either the right or left hand corners of the fixture may be suitably rounded and the apron may then be made to extend on either of the sides so as to form what is commonly, termed by those skilled in the art as a corner pattern tub.

My improved fixture I is made substantially oblong in shape similar to conventional bathing fixtures asdistinguished from unconventional, odd or irregular shaped fixtures or basins. The fixture is provided with a'cavity or basin formed therewithin of usual depth and extending substantially longitudinally of the length'of the fixture,*thefoot end 3 and the head end 4 respectively being preferably at right angles to the longitudinally extending edge 5 of the fixture. The basin or hollow body portion of the fixture is preferably made with a relatively fiat bottom 6 and a straight wall 1 extending on a bias on a portion of one. side thereof augmented by an extending wall H of greater angularity and terminating in the shorter end wall 3 while the biased extending side wall is limited by the longer end wall 4. The opposite substantially longitudinally extending side wall IU of the basin when viewed in plan is made slightly inclined for substantially its full length and is preferably parallel to the opposite wall 1.

The foregoing arrangement of the side and end walls for the bathing basin results in such construction so that the width at its one end is preferably made sufficient so as to easily accommodate the body portion of the user, as indicated generally at 8, while the other end will be slightly narrowed, as indicated at 9, to accommodate the feet of the user. Further, by reducing the width of the end portion, as indicated at 9, by use of the inwardly sloping wall, as indicated at I l, or which may have a slightly convex contour, as indicated, instead of being straight, a seat I 2, preferably recessed at 12a for drain purposes, is formed whereby the user may use the tub either for purpose of taking a foot bath or in taking a shower while in a seated position. Thus by such provision the fixture proper will not require any additional over-all width over conventional dimensions and, therefore, is capable of being installed within the same space limitations. Further, it will be apparent that in maintaining the width of such proportions as heretofore indicated, the wall of the room adjacent to the edge 5 is brought close to the bather as a means for insuring greater safety since such room wall may easily be used as a guide or support when standing within the fixture or in entering or leaving it.

Directing attention now to the plan view shown in Fig. 1 and more specifically to the lower portion of the figure therein shown, the side wall I0 is suificiently pitched or sloped from the horizontal so that what might be termed an entering or outside seat- I3 is formed which is preferably flush with the upper portion of the fixture. Obviously the seat surface l3 may be made slightly pitched inwardly toward the basin so as to allow for water accumulating thereon to drain within the basin proper.

As previouslystated, the primary purpose of the seat 13 is simply to allow for greater convenience and security in entering and leaving the fixture, since it functions as a means for enabling the bather when seated thereon to use the surface as a means for lifting the feet from the fioor level and then pivoting over the rim of the fixture and into or out of. the basin, as desired. The seat 13 is preferably made relatively narrow or elongated, as indicated,.so that while adequate to accommodate the user,'it is still in relatively close proximity both to the outer or apron side of the fixture as well as to the inner biased wall Ill. The advantage in such arrangement lies in the avoidance of undue maneuvering or skillful movement on behalf of the user upon entering or leaving the fixture.

As indicated at M, a portion of the seat I3 is recessed and the latter recess is preferably made of such depth so as not to allow the handle or grip IE to project above the surface l3, and this is likewise applicable insofar as the level of the handle I6 is concerned with relation to the rim surface 5, as more clearly indicated in Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive. Thus, the grips I5 and I6, being positioned as described, do not add to the height of the fixture from the floor level, and also by reason of such positioning are within more convenient reach at all times and. avoid the lifting of the feet over what might otherwise constitute objectionable projections.

This construction and arrangement provides a further and important element of my invention, as hereinafter described, whereby greater protection or security to the user in both entering and leaving the fixture is also obtained. Both of the handles or grips I and I6, as indicated at 15a and 16a respectively in Fig. 3, are preferably shaped so that when viewed in cross section a narrow neck or base portion is formed, thus facilitating easy gripping by the hands of the user. However, it is not intended nor would the use be encouraged to the extent that the fixture itself would be lifted or rendered transportable by the latter handle means. While I have thus far shown and described handles of somewhat elongated, cylindrical form it should be apparent that numerous other shapes, as for example, a stairrail or banister shape, or of a modified T or door-knob form, or round, or square form, or of a rail track form may be used without departing from the invention. Therefore, when I say elongate-d form I include these forms referred to and the many modifications thereof.

In describing the proper use of a fixture exemplifying my invention, when the individual user enters the fixture preferably the initial position assumed will be to seat himself upon the seat l3, then lift the feet either together or one at a time up and over the rim of the fixture and place them upon the basin bottom 6, having the usual drain outlet 11. The user then grips either or both of the handles [5 and I6, and when so supported, can conveniently and safely lower himself into the basin of the fixture. Further, since the handles are preferably elongated, they may be gripped, as desired, anywhere along the surface for a considerable distance. Also, the handles may be made to extend, if desired, for even greater lengths than as shown and need not necessarily be made straight, but may be curved or otherwise formed, as desired.

In leaving the fixture after bathing or after taking a shower bath, the procedure previously described in entering will be substantially reversed so that the user, if seated within the basin, first will grip the handles 15 and It, then using his arms as a support by bearing down upon the handles he will lift himself to a standing position, then he seats himself upon the seat [3, pivoting and lifting the feet over the rim of the fixture and finally by gripping the handle I5 will assist himself to a standing position outside of the fixture.

Each of the movements thus described contribute to increased security, especially insofar as crippled, feeble or aged persons are concerned.

By making the basin or body portion of a modified trapezoidal form, it is clear that greater area and far more useful length to the fixture basin is provided and yet, at the same time, by reason of a narrowed foot end portion, the usual requirement of an objectionable increase in the amount of water ordinarily required for bathing purposes is avoided, thereby constituting a decided improvement over past fixtures in this respect.

It will be apparent that I have devised a unique type of bathing fixture possessing improved utility with increased saftety, which is capable of being substituted in substantially the same installations established by prior conventional types of bathtubs.

Further, while I have disclosed one embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that certain modifications and omissions may be made therein without departing from the scope of my invention.

Therefore, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is defined by the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. An oblong bathing fixture comprising a basin having a bottom, the ends thereof being defined by substantially parallel extending walls, the sides thereof being defined by walls, one portion of the length of one side wall being parallel to the other side wall, the remaining portion of the said wall extending on a bias as it approaches the end of the fixture substantially transverse to the said bottom, the opposite side walls being parallel to an axis inslightly angular relation to the horizontal axis of the basin, the end walls being parallel to the vertical axis of the said basin.

2. An oblong bathing fixture of rectangular form comprising a basin having a bottom, the end limits of said basin being defined by substantially parallel extending walls of unequal length, walls on each side of the basin in which an uninterrupted portion of the length of one side of one of the side walls is. parallel to the other side wall, the remaining portion of the length of the said. side wall extending slant-wise toward the central axis of the said fixture, all of said side walls ex-- tending substantially in a direction angularly disposed with relation to the said central axis, the end walls of the said basin being parallel to the vertical axis of the basin.

ROY H ZINKIL. 

